Retractable device holding assembly

ABSTRACT

Retractable device holding assemblies are provided having a retractor member including an extendible tether with an attachment device connected at the free end thereof by an interlocking attachment assembly thereof for securing an attachment to the body of a utilitarian device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 10/028,194, filed on Dec. 19, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a retractable device holding assembly and more particularly to a retractable device holding assembly which permits a utilitarian device to be attached thereto and, once attached, to be extended for use and thereafter retracted for compact storage adjacent the retractable device holding assembly which may be disposed at a site of the user's choosing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various apparatuses have been provided for retractably securing a relatively small, utilitarian device from free-fall, loss and/or breakage. However, an improvement in retractable device holding technology would be desirable such as would make these more economically producible, would minimize the number, kind and/or complexity of connective parts, and/or which would make such assemblies readily functional and/or adapted for use with many of various alternative devices of diverse utilitarian functions often of the hand-held type. It is toward achievement of these ends that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Provided here are a variety of embodiments of a retractable device holding assembly including a retractor portion containing an extendible tether having a connecting clip, ring or hook connected at the free end thereof which is coactive with a clip receptive portion integrally or otherwise substantially permanently connected to a utilitarian device to form an interlocking attachment assembly for securing the tether to the body of the utilitarian device.

[0005] These and other alternative embodiments, as may hereinafter appear or as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, represent exemplary embodiments of the present invention as can be readily discerned from the following detailed description, especially when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts bear like numerals throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In the drawings:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an exemplary retractable device holding assembly embodiment of the present invention showing a typical lighter or other utilitarian device in phantom;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a elevational view of a retractor member - ring means assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the retractor member and interlocking attachment assembly, partially broken away, of the retractable assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0010]FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of an interlocking attachment assembly like that shown in FIGS. 1-3;

[0011]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the spring-loaded retractor assembly of FIGS. 1-3 showing an alternative lighter or like utilitarian device in phantom;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a side elevation of an exemplary retractable device holding assembly embodiment of the present invention showing a typical utilitarian device in phantom;

[0013]FIG. 7 is a side elevation of another exemplary retractable device holding assembly embodiment of the present invention showing another typical utilitarian device in phantom;

[0014]FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away side elevation of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device;

[0015]FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away side elevation of a further exemplary alternative embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device;

[0016]FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away side elevation of yet one further exemplary alternative embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device; and

[0017]FIG. 11 is a partially cut-away side elevation of still yet one further exemplary alternative embodiment of a retractable device holding assembly connection to an exemplary utilitarian device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] With reference to the drawings, various embodiments of retractable device holding assemblies are shown and designated throughout by the general reference numeral 10. Now with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, e.g., an assembly 10 is shown including a retraction member 12 having a thread or tether line 14 extending therefrom and responsive thereto. Tether line 14 has a proximal end 36 (see description of FIG. 5, infra) secured to the retraction member 12 and a remote end 16 secured to an attachment means or device 18. In a first embodiment, the attachment device is further attached to and/or includes a flexible, resilient rubber or plastic ring 20, which is adapted to in turn be mounted in circumscribing relationship around the body portion 22 of a conventional utilitarian device 24. In one embodiment, device 24 may be a conventional lighter (see FIGS. 1 and 5) or device 24 may be of another substantially conventional form such as a cosmetic, or lip balm (see FIGS. 6 and 8-11) or a utilitarian tool (see FIG. 7).

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, retraction member 12 has a body portion 26 which is shown as cylindrical for illustrative purposes only as it may be rectangular, triangular, oblong and the like. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, body portion 26 is provided with an internal retractor spring 28 which is anchored in a slotted cylindrical portion 30 integrally formed with bottom portion 32 of body portion 26 and is surrounded by a spool 34. The proximal end 36 of tether 14 is secured to spring 28 and wound about spool 34 for responsive co-action therewith when it is desired to extend or retract tether 14 by pulling on or releasing tether 14 in understood and/or understandable fashion.

[0020] Retracting member 12 further comprises a lower plate 38 insertable within the bottom portion 32 of body portion 26 to support spool 34 for rotation thereupon and an upper plate 40 for placement upon spool 34 to further facilitate the rotation thereof. The upper or lid portion 42 of retraction member 12 is then secured to lower portion 32 so that the extending portion 46 of upper portion 42 complements the extending portion 48 of lower portion 32. Lower portion 32 has a groove 50 defined therein into which a complementary shaped hollow spool member 51 is seated to coact therewith or provide ready ingress and egress for tether 14 into and out of its spring biased-coiled relationship around spool 34.

[0021] On the external face 44 of lower portion 32 of retraction member 12 is secured a clip 52 for easy removable attachment of retractor member 12 to the user's belt, pocket, purse, key ring, cigarette pack or like position or location of the user's wearing apparel or carried possession to provide an attractive, handy, secure, and relatively inexpensive device repository where such a repository is desired. One manner of securing clip 52 to bottom member 32 is shown in FIG. 5 and comprises a resilient latch portion which extends into the interior of bottom 32. Alternative dispositions and members for the achievement thereof are possible also, including for example, lanyard or necklace or key chain embodiments.

[0022] Tether 14 may be formed of nylon or other durable synthetic material and is provided with sufficient length to enable the user to move the utilitarian device to the desired area of action; as for example, if a cosmetic device, lip balm, cigarette lighter, or the like, toward a position adjacent the user's lips, mouth or face for application of the lip balm, cosmetic, or to light a cigarette or like tobacco product. The movement could conceivably alternatively be otherwise depending upon the utilitarian object, e.g., if a tool or writing implement to a work position or writing surface, or if a lighter, then perhaps alternatively to a birthday cake candle, or like object requiring an active flame to create the desired result, or in the case of a bartender or waitress, to assist clientele in lighting their tobacco material.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and enlarged in FIG. 4, attachment means 18 may in some embodiments include a tether anchor 56 having an aperture (not shown) in the bottom thereof for receiving and securing the distal end 16 of tether 14 and an integral loop portion 62 formed on the opposite end thereof. A ring adjustment means 64 shown as cubical in shape and having an opening 66 drilled axially therethrough is dimensioned so as to receive a portion of ring member 20 therethrough so as to provide a first loop 68 and a second loop 70 on the far end thereof when ring 20 is compressed and fed through opening 66 of ring adjustment means 64 or cinch 64 and is then attached to loop portion 62 of tether anchor 56 by means of connecting ring 72. Extending loop 70 of ring 20, which circumscribes the body 22 of a lighter 24 or the like, is thus secured to tether 14 and hence retraction means 12.

[0024] While some of the foregoing assembly embodiments have been described in terms including a lighter, many, if not all of the embodiments herein can be and are intended to be equally useful in controlling the whereabouts of similarly shaped and or sized objects such as small flashlights, screwdrivers and similar tools, marking pens, cosmetic products, lip balm, and like small and lightweight items. Although handheld sizes and shapes are typically useful herewith, other shapes and/or sizes of utilitarian objects are also foreseeably useful with device holding assemblies as described and equivalents thereof. Examples hereof are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein alternative devices 24 are shown in phantom.

[0025] As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, it is believed that such is readily apparent from the above description and accordingly no further discussion relative to the usage and operation of the assembly is deemed necessary other than to say that the selected device is used when the tether is drawn a distance from the retraction device and may then be used usually while maintaining one's grip thereupon. When the desired task is complete, the selected device is either simply released or manually guided/retumed to its retracted position while the spring 28 in retractor means 12 rewinds the tether 14 such that the utilitarian device is returned to its at rest position adjacent retraction device 12.

[0026] In some alternative embodiments (see e.g., FIGS. 8-11), different means and/or structures may be used to effect the connection of the utilitarian device to the retractable leash assembly 12. In one such case, a reception member 80 may be used as shown in FIGS. 8-11 wherein the reception member 80 is integrally attached to and as a part of the body/housing/casing 22 of the device 24 (e.g., formed therewith or built-in) or perhaps later secured thereto (as by bonding, gluing or detachably secured as by mechanical clipping and/or the like). The reception member or receptacle 80 may then provide a structurally defined aperture providing for receiving or reception of a ring 20 (FIG. 8) or loop 62 (FIG. 9) (or a ring like intermediate ring 72 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) directly connected to the receptacle 80), or a clip or hook structure 82, 84 (FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively) which can be a push-button hook connection member 82 or a snap hook 84 or a trigger or C-clip or other type of encircling connection member. These sorts of connections may also be referred to as hook and eye connections. Note, to be an encircling member, the connection device/member need not create a complete circle, rather merely provide a device for sufficient penetration and/or retention. Similarly, the receptacle 80 need not provide a fully enclosed aperture, nor a complete through-hole, nor necessarily be circular or semi-circular or any other particular shape, but for that it be cooperative with and receive the connection member from the retractable device 12.

[0027] In view of the foregoing, it is respectfully submitted the present invention is new, useful and not obvious and that such applications, modifications and alterations as may readily occur to one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains are included within the scope of this disclosure which is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

Accordingly, what is claimed is:
 1. A retractable device holding assembly comprising: a retraction member having a tether line secured at is proximal end to said retraction member and biased interiorly of the retraction member in a first position and extendible exteriorly of said retraction member to a second extended position; attachment means secured to the distal end of said tether line; and flexible, resilient polymer ring means secured to said attachment means at distal end of said tether line; whereby a utilitarian device is operatively removably interposed within said ring means and responsive to movement therewith upon extension and retraction of said tether line relative to said retraction member.
 2. A retractable device holding assembly according to claim 1 in which said retraction member has a front surface and a rear surface and a clip member operatively secured to said rear surface to anchor said retractable member during operation thereof.
 3. A retractable device holding assembly according to claim 1 in which said ring means is adaptable to encircle the utilitarian device which may be of various shapes and sizes.
 4. A retractable device holding assembly comprising: a retraction member having a tether line secured at is proximal end to said retraction member and biased interiorly of the retraction member in a first, retracted position and retractably extendible exteriorly of said retraction member to a second, extended position; an attachment device secured to the distal end of said tether line; said attachment device including an encircling connection structure adapted to be connected to a mating receptacle on a utilitarian device; whereby when a utilitarian device is operatively connected to said attachment device; said utilitarian device will be extendibly and retractably responsive with said attachment device to alternate extension and retraction movement of said tether line relative to said retraction member.
 5. An assembly according to claim 4 in which said encircling connection structure is selected from the group consisting of: a ring, a loop, a clip, and a hook.
 6. An assembly according to claim 5 in which said hook is selected from the group consisting of: a push-button hook, a snap hook, a trigger hook and a C-clip.
 7. An assembly according to claim 4 in which said receptacle is selected from the group consisting of: an eye, a semicircular eye, a structurally defined aperture, and a through-hole..
 8. An assembly according to claim 4 in which said receptacle is a structure selected from the group consisting of: an integrally formed portion of the utilitarian device and a later secured portion of the utilitarian device.
 9. An assembly according to claim 4 in which said utilitarian device is selected from the group consisting of a hand-held utilitarian device, a cosmetic product, and a tool.
 10. An assembly according to claim 9 in which said cosmetic product is selected from the group consisting of lip balm and lipstick.
 11. An assembly according to claim 9 in which said tool is selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver, flashlight, lighter, marker, writing device, pen and pencil.
 12. A retractable device holding system comprising: a device adapted to be held, the device including a reception member; and a retraction member having: a tether line connected thereto; an attachment apparatus connected to said tether line; whereby the tether line has a proximal and a distal end; said proximal end being secured to and within said retraction member and said distal end being secured to said attachment apparatus; whereby the attachment apparatus has an encircling attachment portion; whereby the reception member of the device adapted to be held is adapted to receive said encircling portion therein in hook and eye relationship thereto; whereby upon attachment of said device adapted to be held to said retraction member, said retraction member allows said device to be moved between an extended operational position and an inactive position adjacent said retraction member.
 13. A system according to claim 12 in which said encircling connection structure is selected from the group consisting of: a ring, a loop, a clip, and a hook.
 14. A system according to claim 13 in which said hook is selected from the group consisting of: a push-button hook, a snap hook, a trigger hook and a C-clip.
 15. A system according to claim 12 in which said receptacle is selected from the group consisting of: an eye, a semicircular eye, a structurally defined aperture, and a throughhole.
 16. A system according to claim 12 in which said receptacle is a structure selected from the group consisting of: an integrally formed portion of the utilitarian device and a later secured portion of the utilitarian device.
 17. A system according to claim 12 in which said utilitarian device is selected from the group consisting of a hand-held utilitarian device, a cosmetic product, and a tool.
 18. A system according to claim 17 in which said cosmetic product is selected from the group consisting of lip balm and lipstick.
 19. A system according to claim 17 in which said tool is selected from the group consisting of a screwdriver, flashlight, lighter, marker, writing device, pen and pencil.
 20. A system according to claim 12 in which said retraction member comprises: a housing; a cylindrical spool mounted for rotation within said housing; a retractable spring means mounted in said housing in operative relationship to said spool; and a tether line secured to said spool and reeved there around and extending therefrom for movement therewith; whereby said spring means is compressed in response to the withdrawal of a length of said tether from said housing and automatically decompressed when the compression force is removed therefrom. 